Sachin Tendulkar’s Hidden Role In ‘Lagaan’

MUMBAI-As the iconic film ‘Lagaan’ marks 25 years, cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar has recalled helping director Ashutosh Gowariker capture the authentic sound of a cricket crowd for the movie.

Speaking about his connection with the film, Tendulkar revealed that Gowariker had approached him during the making of ‘Lagaan’ seeking a genuine cricket stadium atmosphere.

“Movie launch hone ke 2 saal pehle, I think you had asked me ‘Jo ek crowd ka authentic aawaz hota hai woh Kahan milega?’ and I had said we are playing Australia in Mumbai. Wankhede stadium aake record karle, kyu nahi?” Sachin recalled telling Gowariker.

The cricket legend also shared how deeply the film resonated with his family, recalling that his son, Arjun Tendulkar, never missed watching it.

“Arjun would come home every evening after playing cricket with the building kids and would play Lagaan on TV while having dinner without fail every single day,” Tendulkar said.

He also praised composer A.R. Rahman’s soundtrack, saying songs such as “O Paalanhaare” continue to bring a sense of calm and positivity.

Tendulkar further recalled watching ‘Lagaan’ with his family and said the experience remained enjoyable even after multiple viewings. He congratulated actor-producer Aamir Khan, director Ashutosh Gowariker and the entire team, expressing amazement at how quickly 25 years have passed since the film’s release.

Directed by Ashutosh Gowariker and starring Aamir Khan, the 2001 classic follows a village farmer who challenges British officers to a cricket match to save his village from unfair taxes. The film earned an Oscar nomination for Best Foreign Language Film, marking a historic milestone in Indian cinema. (IANS)